"I'd say there's about 600 to 800, but that's a soft number," said Gordon Batcheller, chief wildlife biologist for the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Their presence raises many questions. What should be done with these animals, which can get up to 1,000 pounds in weight? Do they pose any danger to humans? Should there be a hunting season for them?

"We realize if we're going to develop a long-term, defensible plan for the future we need to have better estimates," he said. "We not only need to know the population, or at least a good estimate, we need to have the rate of growth of the herd.

"It's unclear at this point. The rate of growth may be flat, it may be positive, it may be negative," he said.

To determine that, the DEC is "embarking on research," overseeing an effort that will be done by Cornell University and SUNY ESF staff.

"We're developing the scope of the work. What are our objectives? How we going to do it? How much will it cost?" Batcheller said, adding research will likely begin next year.

A wide variety of techniques will likely be used, he said, including observation of the animals from aircraft, DNA work and feedback from hunters and others frequently the areas where moose are located. He said there's a place on the DEC website for persons to submit their moose photos.

AP

"They can cause a lot of difficulty for people, particularly if they follow (and frequent) a transportation corridor," Batcheller said. "There's implications for people driving, implications for commercial forestry and some implications for agriculture."

Batchellor said there's been a small number of moose/vehicle accidents, and that this year's accident rate is "flat" compared to last year. At this point, there's been no fatal accidents. However, they have occurred in other neighboring states, and it may only be a matter of time before one occurs here.

"The reason behind that is the moose's size," he said. "When a moose collides with a motor vehicle, the legs get knocked out and the moose comes into the windshield. That's unlike with a deer, where it's just a hit and plow type of situation."

The DEC is working with the state Department of Transportation to develop warning methods for motorists in moose country, including the posting of moose crossing signs. "Research in other states has shown that vehicle speed is the most common factor leading to moose collisions, so the best way to avoid hitting a moose is to slow down, especially from dusk to dawn," according to the DEC website.

At this point, moose are a "protected" species. Batcheller conceded there's probably more than a few trophy-sized animals out there now. Other states, such as Maine, hold a lottery for moose hunting tags each year to raise money for state coffers, in addition to keeping the herd size under control.

'How many moose does there need to be before hunters can hunt them?

"The answer could be 10. If you take only one a year you will still have a positive growth rate," he said. "We're comparable to North Dakota as far as our (estimated) moose population. They have had a moose hunting season for decades, but the quota (for tags) is very, very low."

He did say, however, that hunting moose in this state is not a given.

"The moose management plan can be as simple as, 'How do we keep track of moose in New York?'" he said.

Some have suggested that managing moose may be a moot point in this state, thanks to climate change that has resulted in increasing warmer temperatures in the North County. The moose may move out, or not be able to survive here.

"I don't buy that," Batcheller said. "There's some evidence in Massachusetts and Connecticut that suggest that warmer temperatures are not as significant a factor. They manage to find places to keep cool."

One thing is for certain. Whenever a moose shows on or near a roadway, or some other public area, it draws a crowd. "It's a very popular attraction. People will come from miles around to see that moose, so there's some implications for tourism," he said.

Batcheller's advice to novice moose watchers?

"If you come across a moose, the most important thing is to stay out of their way. Moose can be very aggressive," he said. "A cow with its calf is a real dangerous animal. They'll run you down and stomp on you until you look like pizza."